Business Responses to Global Recessions


How do decision-makers overcome the effects of the recession to create an economically sustainable business?
Let's continue with the scenario of the New Zealand Rugby Union and it's $15.9 million dollar loss during 2009 and 2010. We've already discussed the causes and effects of a global recession so first, let's summarise these.

The Issue: The NZRU made financial losses of $15.9 million dollars in 2010.

The Causes of this issue that relate to the global recession are:
  1. The consumers in the market place have less disposable income so they aren't patronising rugby matches.
  2. $NZ is strengthening and so their international reserves are worth less in $NZ.
  3. Businesses are facing tough times, so they have less money available to spend on sponsorship of the rugby events.

The Impacts on the NZRU are:
  1. Their revenues are significantly down on previous years.
  2. The All-Blacks brand is now less valuable as their games aren't drawing the same amount of crowds or sponsorship dollars as they used to.
  3. They will struggle to meet their obligations to debtors or to fund large events in the future (such as the Rugby World Cup).


Task One


group.pngGroup Brainstorm
As a group, brainstorm some ideas for NZRU that will enable them to solve the causes of the issue, and overcome the impacts of the global recession. Refer to the Problem solving section to review how to effectively brainstorm.

comments.pngComment
When you have completed your brainstorm, identify your three best ideas and add them to the wallwisher below. Refer to the ToolTest page to review the Wallwisher tool.



Task Two

Analyse the ideas that you identified in task two using a PMI chart (plus - minus - interesting), and a Decision Matrix.

group.png Group PMI Analysis
As a group, complete a PMI chart for each of your three ideas.

The PMI chart below gives you an idea of how to start your analysis.
Description of Idea:
NZRU could....
Plus
Minus
The good points about this idea are:
The bad points about this idea are:
Interesting:

This might lead to...
More research required on...
The important stakeholders would feel...

group.png Group Decision Matrix Analysis
As a group, draw up a Decision Matrix for the three options you are analysing. Refer to the Problem solving section to review how to complete a Decision Matrix Analysis.
The Decision Matrix below, is a starting point for your group. Usually your group would need to decide on the factors important to the decision. You may decide to change the factors and weightings given in the starter below.
Factors:
Low Cost

Positive Brand Image
Provides Financial Returns
Increases Customer Loyalty
Protects views of all stakeholders
Weightings:
2
5
2
4
3
Option 1





Option 2





Option 3








book_edit.pngAdd a discussion of the analyis to your portfolio
Identify the best option based on your analysis. Fully explain why your group decided on this option, and how this option will overcome the impacts of the global recession. You should write approximately 200-300 words and add this to your portfolio.


to_do_list_cheked_all.png Checkpoint!

Before you move on to the next page, you should have added the following things to your portfolio:
  • A 200-300 word discussion on the option your group has chosen.

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I'm ready to move on!